Chapter 190: Heaven

Chapter 190: Heaven

In the Camp, light rose into the sky, and a Shadow fell upon Bran. He watched there, slowly discovering something new.

The Soul is a container. Only, after losing the protection of the body, just like a water bottle instantly meeting heat, it cracked all over with fissures. Water slowly seeped out, that water was murky and unclear, yet after seeping out, it hung suspended there, gradually becoming distinct—clear and turbid separating, gradually breaking away from each other. The clear part rose, the turbid part sank, leaving only the empty shell of the Soul wandering about. The Mana that filled the Soul anew was more like coarse sand grains.

Bran slowly walked into the Camp. Mist began to seep out from his body and spin, spinning faster and faster. Light and Shadow, clear and turbid, were all drawn into the Mist—one struggling, one joyful.

Pain! That was what Bran felt. As the light was drawn into his body, Bran felt like he was a pot of boiling hot oil, splattered wildly by a sudden splash of cold water.

But he had to endure. That night, when the new power broke free from its cocoon, he lost control. He could not let himself be lost; he had to maintain the most basic reason. Balance, that was the only method he could think of.

The Mist bound the light, forcibly pulling it into his body. Amidst cracking sounds, clumps of Starlight were forced and squeezed into Bran’s body.

Light shot out from his pores, along with a bloody mist, gradually wetting Bran’s clothes.

“I am but a void existence, unconcerned with life and Death, unconcerned with suffering and joy,” murmured in a low voice as the Mist spun even faster.

Huahua crouched under the flagpole, uneasily swishing her tail. That figure gradually turning crimson became the only thing in her eyes.

…

Outside the Western Territory, the army of the Demon Clan had spread out in formation, banners fluttering just like in the old days. How many years had it been since such a large army pressed upon the border, since they had displayed military might before the Northlanders. And the Northlanders seemed to have forgotten the bottom line between the two sides, forgotten the faint tacit understanding between them, forcing them to labor on a military Expedition.

A Feathered Arrow pierced the clear sky, deeply embedding itself in the ground. A soldier ran to retrieve the letter attached to the arrow, then it was passed through layers until it reached the commander’s hand.

There were only two words on the letter—field battle.

Seeing this reply, the commander’s hand trembled slightly, not from joy, but from anger.

What were they doing earlier? If they truly wanted a battle outside the city, both sides should have arranged it in advance, spreading out their formations to fight a proper, honorable battle. But after they had shouted and cursed, just as they had set up their siege formation, the other side changed their minds…

He wasn’t worried about the Northlanders playing tricks. The two sides had fought back and forth for so many years; the Northlanders’ straightforward, unwavering character had never changed. A field battle was easier than storming a city. Perhaps this was his chance, a chance to make a name for himself in one battle.

The sound of horns rang out. The Demon Clan army slowly retreated, leaving enough space for the Northlanders. Warhorses galloped back and forth within the formation, constantly relaying new orders. The army’s formation quickly adjusted and changed.

The commander of the Demon Clan, positioned firmly in the center of the army, gazed towards the front of the formation, only hoping the Northlanders would hurry, faster, even faster. Someone, as if answering his hope, slowly opened the gates of the Western Territory city.

A young girl rode out from the crack of the gate on a giant bear. Soon, a group of hooded children, holding cats and leading dogs, also chased out, with laughter and excitement. Afterwards, came a group of teenage boys and girls. Several frail Elders followed behind with shouts, “Slow down, don’t fall!”, trailing after them.

The Demon Clan army was dead silent, staring dumbfounded at the opposite side, at the still wide-open city gate, hoping for a true Northlander army to appear. But they were disappointed.

The Demon Clan commander raised a slightly trembling hand, pointing at the opposite side. His mouth opened and closed for a long while, but no sound came out.

Compared to the Demon Clan’s army, this group of children was like a lone traveler arriving before the sea, standing with laughter facing the sea. A few nearly dead old men stood contentedly behind them, occasionally stroking their sparse beards.

Northlanders were stubborn, crazy, barbaric, and held grudges, but they weren’t too stupid. So the commander firmly positioned in the center was at a loss for what to do. Charge with the army? Obviously not! The wide-open gate—before they could even get close, he believed those bear-like kids would have long run out of sight.

Scout riders dispersed to the surroundings, trying to figure out if the Northlanders had any ambush. A Warrior was also sent out, wanting to test with a duel before the formations.

With annoyance and unwillingness, he slowly came before the formations and roared out his challenge.

As he wished, a little girl walked out. Because a Little Bear was clinging tightly to her calf, her steps seemed somewhat unsteady. Because she was unsteady, her speed was also a bit slow.

The challenger was somewhat at a loss. He had fought for many years and done many cruel, evil things. But to kill a little girl before everyone’s eyes, that still gave him some hesitation.

So, he did not go forward to meet her. He just stood there quietly, waiting. Whether the Northlanders were mad, whether this child was mad, he was prepared to give her a clean, swift Death, to free her from all suffering from then on.

He lightly rested his blade on the ground and began to pray, using a Warrior’s Faith to pray.

The little girl finally finished that seemingly long and distant path and came before him. A pair of big eyes blinked, with curiosity, with innocence. And he, he only felt cold, and the final Darkness.

People watched as that tall Demon Clan Warrior, his armor covered in a layer of frost. A gentle breeze blew past, softly embracing him as he fell to the ground, turning into countless sparkling ice shards.

The Little Wizards of the Northlands were bound to see blood eventually. This stage was not only for Lily, but also for them. The Northlanders would not be satisfied with just one or two Great Wizards. Since there could appear a Bran, a Lily, then there should be more.

Bran had handed over his records, though not all of them. But the conjectures within were enough to drive the one who got them—mad. And madness also requires a Sacrifice.

The Altar was built, the Sacrifice was presented, so the Sacrifice began.

Lily spread her wings and in the blink of an eye appeared beside the enemy commander, leaving behind a trail of wreckage. The Little Wizards let out a chorus of joyous cries, chasing after her shadow, like young vultures on their first hunt, with curiosity, excitement, and a last trace of innocence.

The teenage Warriors of the Northlands silently watched, watching this carnival, this feast of flesh and blood. Afterwards, they would become his, or her, Attendants. From then on—they would share life and Death.

Just like Bran and Danny…

…

Kurt curled up, trying to shrink into a ball. Following his lead, there were no longer any figures daring to stand on the city wall. Fear was contagious, and it spread fast. The entire Fortress fell into dead silence.

“Kurt,” he heard someone softly calling his name, “come down.”

He struggled to move his eyeballs, looking towards the voice. A young Knight was crouching and waving at him.

Kurt didn’t know how he got down from the city wall, or how he arrived at the command room. Many people were waiting for him there, hoping he could explain everything, even though these people had all heard his story before.

But he didn’t want, nor dared, to say anything. He remembered how Pachu had warned them back then, had told them that the Great Wizard could see far, hear far, that city walls and high mountains were no obstacle.

He pointed outside, shh…